WAYLANDER To Enter Studio In September

Vocalist Ciaran O'Hagan of the long-running Irish folk metal act WAYLANDER has issued the following update on the group's activities:

"Firstly, we have returned safely from our first sojourn to Germany, where we were honoured to perform at the Pagan Nights festival in Bavaria. The people we met were as hospitable as one could only dream of, despite their insane notion of providing us with free beer at all times. Needless to say, this Irish band fulfilled all the criteria of our national stereotype. The setting for the festival was stunning, adjacent to a reconstructed Celtic village in the heartland of the Bavarian forest.

"We hadn't played live for a year or so and the rustiness was plain to us in our live performance, but with the vast majority of our slip-ups coming in our new songs, our sloppiness wasn't evident to the attentive and appreciative audience. Playing outdoors in a festival environment was never going to be an ideal way of getting the sound we required, yet we somehow managed to pull it off, despite the onstage monitors becoming more and more redundant as the set progressed. We can and will play much better in the future.

"The WOLFCHANT horde were genial and generous hosts with their live performance being particularly pleasing to these ears. Eternal hails go to each and every member of WOLFCHANT, Markus Eck, and all the superb staff from the bar. We met so many cool people that we could write a list as long as your arm here, so, suffice to say, hails to all those we met at Pagan Nights!

"We have finally booked a studio. Yes, it is actually true!! We will record in Dublin at Alderwood studios during the months of September and October. Unfortunately it will be mostly weekends due to work commitments etc but from a positive perspective, at least we can travel there easily from our own homes.

"We will make an announcement on the record label we have chosen within the coming months but I can safely say this, the label will be no household name as we think trust and total commitment are the most important aspects of a working/business arrangement.

"We will take an unwanted break from our frantic studio preparations to play a concert in Dublin on Saturday, July 29th at the Voodoo Lounge. The reason we are breaking our self imposed 'no more gigs until the album is recorded' policy is simple, the cause of the concert itself. The Irish government have approved a motorway through the Tara/Skryne valley [the site of the ancient capital of our island and the seat of the high kings], which will result in the loss of most of its archaeology, which, incidentally is one of the most important archaeological sites in the whole of Europe. Add to this the fact that the aura/atmosphere of the area will be tainted by the incessant traffic and resultant fuel fumes and it's clear to see why so many of us are seething with rage at these proposals. We must act we must make our protesting voices heard, and whether or not we succeed in halting the destructive route at least we have stood up and had our say, and who knows, perhaps something CAN be done. The concert is not only to raise awareness among the Irish metal community, however, as the proceeds will go to Vincent Salafia, who has tried to sue the Irish government for their treasonous actions and has been left with a staggeringly high legal bill. Such noble actions deserve our attention and support, so seven bands have offered their services free of charge for this concert. Each and every band, James and Craobh Crua deserve congratulations for making this stand. I am sure that the ancient gods and the spirits of our ancestors will be pleased with our collective efforts. Hopefully a large crowd will be in attendance and a lot of money will be raised. So, if it is within your power to be there, please, do not hesitate about attending."